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Addiction Research Centres and the Nurturing of Creativity
Author(s) -
Tohyama Tomomi,
Yokoyama Akira,
Matsushita Sachio,
Higuchi Susumu
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/add.12320
Subject(s) - addiction , addiction medicine , medicine , medical research , alcohol addiction , government (linguistics) , medical education , psychiatry , pathology , linguistics , philosophy
The K urihama M edical and A ddiction C enter began to conduct research and to provide medical care for alcohol‐related problems in 1963, when special alcoholism treatment wards were established in J apan for the first time. At first, the provision of medical care to patients was prioritized. However, training courses for specialists were initiated in 1975, and the D epartment of C linical R esearch was established in 1984, which led to the formation of the present management structure in which the centre's staff are shared by three departments: M edical C are, C linical R esearch and E ducation and I nformation. The D epartment of M edical C are provides specialized treatment for alcohol use disorders and medical services for other conditions, including behavioural addictions such as internet addiction and gambling disorder, as well as dementia and other psychiatric disorders. The Departments of C linical R esearch and E ducation and I nformation are engaged mainly in specialized activities related to alcohol. The D epartment of C linical R esearch conducts research on the epidemiology of alcohol use, the effects of alcohol on health and the treatment of alcohol use disorders in J apan, in cooperation with universities and other research institutions. The D epartment of E ducation and I nformation fosters the human capacity to achieve the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of alcohol‐related problems and the dissemination of information on alcohol. The centre also performs alcohol‐related problem prevention activities, government consultations and international collaborative research and personal exchanges, thereby functioning as a central institution for alcohol policy‐based medical services and research in J apan.